Foundation vent



R. E. AGGSON FOUNDATION VENT Nov. 30, 1965 3 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Dec. 16, 1963 I Robert E Aggson INVENTOR.

4055m- BY @080 Nov. 30, 1965 AGGSON 3,220,079

FOUNDATI ON VENT Filed Dec. 16, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Robert E. Aggson INVENTOR.

BY wm zsm R. E. AGGSON FOUNDATION VENT Nov. 30, 1965 3 Sheets-$heet 5 Filed Dec. 16, 1963 mil , 'mirinnlmni HHIHHHHHHmummmih Robert E. Aggson INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,220,079 FOUNDATION VENT Robert E. Aggson, 5322 Main St., Springfield, Oreg. Filed Dec. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 330,826 11 Claims. (Cl. 25118) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in wall vents, and is more particularly concerned with the provision of through-wall screened vents in poured foundation walls.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a vent box mountable within a wall form so as to form the through-wall vent simultaneously with the pouring of the wall.

In conjunction With the above object, it is an object of the invention to provide a vent box which can accommodate itself to slight variations in the spacing of the wall form panels.

Also, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a vent box which, with slight modifications, can either be fixed within the poured wall or removable therefrom.

Likewise, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a vent box which has a generally tapered shape whereby a plurality of such boxes can be conveniently stacked so as to take up a minimum amount of space.

Additionally, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a removable vent screen which can be installed after the wall with the vent box therein is completed.

Also, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a slightly modified form of vent box wherein the screen panel is permanently secured therein.

Furthermore, it is a significant object of the instant invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and convenient means, though highly novel means, for providing a through-wall vent.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a building wall having the vent of the instant invention installed therein;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 with the vent screen removed from the vent box;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan View, with a portion broken away, illustrating the manner in which the vent box is to be mounted between the panels of the wall form prior to the pouring of the concrete wall;

FIGURE 6 is a reduced perspective view of a modified form of vent screen;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the manner in which the vent screen of FIGURE 6 is to be installed removably in the vent box;

FIGURE 8 illustrates a modified form of vent box wherein the vent box is removable after the wall is formed;

FIGURE 9 illustrates the manner in which the tapered vent boxes can be stacked for storage and transportation;

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the manner in which a modified form of combination vent box and vent screen is to be mounted within a wall form;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the vent of FIG URE 10 with a portion of the concrete shield broken away;

3,220,079 Patented Nov. 30, 1965 FIGURE 12 illustrates yet another modified form of vent mounted between form panels; and

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the vent of FIG- URE 12 with the concrete shield partially removed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 15 and 9, reference numeral 20 is used to generally designate the vent structure of the instant invention. The vent structure 20 consists basically of a vent box 22 and a vent screen 24. While both the vent box 22 and vent screen 24 have been illustrated as rectangular in cross section, it should be ap preciated that any suitable cross-sectional shape can be used, for example oblong or round, as long as the shape of the vent screen 24 corresponds to the shape of the vent box 22 for engagement therewith in a manner which shall be gone into presently.

With specific reference to the vent box 22, it will be noted that such has been tapered from one end to the other, this taper allowing a nesting of the vent boxes 22 as illustrated in FIGURE 9. The ability of the vent boxes 22 to be stacked is considered particularly significant in that the space requirements for a plurality of the boxes is greatly reduced and their handling greatly facilitated. In order to allow a ready disengagement of one or more of the boxes 22 from the stack, each box 22 is provided with an angled stop member 26 which limits the telescoping of one box into the superjacent box thus preventing any wedging of the boxes within each other to such a degree as to greatly hinder their disengagement. Incidentally, as will be appreciated from FIGURE 4, these angled stops 26, any suitable number being provided on each box 22, project laterally outward from the box 22 and are embedded within the concrete of the poured wall 28 in a manner so as to provide anchor means tending to rigidify the box 22 relative to the wall 28.

The box 22, at the wider end thereof, is provided with an outwardly and forwardly angled resilient peripheral flange 30 which in turn terminates in a reversely bent end portion 32 so as to form a smooth abutment angle or surface 34 for smooth sliding engagement with the adjoining wall form panel 36, as illustrated in FIGURE 5. The fact that the flange 30 is resilient is particularly significant in that, inasmuch as the vent box 22 is to engage both form panels 36, slight variations in the spacing between the panels 36 can be accommodated by a flexing of the flange 30 thus insuring a [constant engagement with the panels 36 in a manner so as to preclude any passage of concrete therethrough and so as to provide uniformity in the apperance ofthe finished vent opening. If so desired, slits can be provided in the flange 30 so as to facilitate the flexing thereof, these slits, when a rectangular box 22 is used, normally being provided at the corners.

The opposite or smaller end of the box 22 is provided with an inwardly angled end portion 38, this end portion 38 converging from the sides of the box 22 so as to form a reduced opening flanked by resilient portions capable of frictionally gripping a screen vent in a manner which shall be described presently. The reversely bent end portion 38 can also be provided with slits, one being illustrated in the corner in FIGURE 2, so as to facilitate the flexing thereof. It will be noted that the reversely bent end portion 38 also forms an abutting angle or surface 40 for smooth sliding engagement with the adjoining wall form panel 36 so as to allow for the easy movement of the box 22 int-o position between the panels 36 even when a substantial compression of the flange 30 is necessary in order to introduce the box 22 between the panels 36.

The vent box 22 is maintained in position between the panels 36 prior to the pouring of the concrete by means of a plurality of driven fasteners 42 extending both through the flange 30 and bendable nailing tabs 44 affixed adjacent the smaller end of the box 22, these nailing tabs 44, until the installation of the box 22, being positioned flush against the side of the box 22, in the manner illustrated in FIG- URE 9 so as to allow for the desired stacking. When the box 22 is to be installed, the tabs 44 are bent in a manner so as to have a portion thereof extending laterally from the box 22, this laterally directed portion having an aperture therethrough, as does the flange 38 at spaced points therealong, for the reception of the driven fasteners 42. It will be noted that, in addition to the angled stop members 26, the nailing tabs 44 and the reversely bent portion 32 of the flange 30 all function to assist in locking the vent box 22 into the finished wall 28.

The vent screen 24, receivable within the smaller end of the vent box 22 after the wall has been completed, consists of a screen panel 46 and a frame 48 therefor. The frame 48 includes a main or body portion 50 having a cross-sectional shape the same as that of the box 22 with the portion 50 being of a size so as to be frictionally gripped by the inwardly angled end portion 38 whereby the vent screen 24 is, while removable upon a specific forward pulling thereof, securely maintained in position. The screen panel 46 is fixed to the inner end of the portion 50, as by welding, while the outer end of the portion 50 is provided with an outwardly directed peripheral flange 52 the-reabout terminating in an inwardly directed sealing portion 54 engageable directly against the outer surface of the wall 28 thereby properly positioning the screen vent relative to the vent box as will be appreciated from FIG- URE 3.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 6 and 7, it will be noted that a modified form of vent screen 56 has been illustrated therein. This vent screen 56 consists of a screen panel 58 and a frame 60' with the frame 60 consist ing of rearwardly extending resilient generally diverging portions 62, each of these portions 62 terminating in an inwardly angled end 64 so as to allow for a ready snapping of the portions 62 behind the inwardly converging sections of the edge 38. The frame 60 also includes, at the outer end of the portion 62, a laterally directed peripheral flange 66 which in turn is provided with a reversely bent lip 68, the screen panel 58 being retained between the flange 66 and lip 68 in any suitable manner. In view of the resiliency of the portion 62, it :will be appreciated, noting particularly FIGURE 7, that a vent screen can also or alternatively be inserted with the wider end of the vent box 22 with the inner surfaces of the vent box 22 being gripped by the resilient portions 62. It will be noted that the flange 66 also abuts against the surface of the wall 28, or more particularly the abutting edge or angle 40 of the vent box 22.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 8, it will be noted that a modified form of vent box 70 has been illustrated therein, this vent box being specifically formed for removal after the poured wall 28 has hardened. In order to effect this removal, it will be noted that the vent box 70 is tapered with the exterior surface thereof being perfectly smooth, a suitable coating, such as for example grease being applied to this exterior surface prior to its installation within the form so as to prevent adherence of the concrete thereto. As in the case with the vent box 22, the vent box 70 is provided, at the larger end, with a forwardly and outwardly directed peripheral resilient flange 72 so as to accommodate slight variations in the spacing of the form panels 36. The smaller end of the box 70 has the end portion 74 thereof reversely bent and positioned juxtaposed the inner surface of the box 70. It is contemplated that a vent screen of the type described in conjunction with FIGURES 6 and 7 supra be used within the vent opening left by a removal of the vent box 70, the diverging resilient portions 62 gripping the concrete sides of the opening.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 11, yet another modification has been illustrated therein, this modification including a straight vent box 76, that is not tapered as the boxes 22 and 70, and a screen panel 78 permanently fixed therein, preferably at an intercediate point therealong. Both ends of the vent box 76 are provided with outwardly and forwardly directed resilient flanges '80 similar to the flange 30 on the box 22, and terminating, also in the same manner as flange 30, in reversely turned edges 82 so as to form smooth edges for sliding engagement with the wall form panels 36. As will be appreciated, these flanges allow for an accommodation of the vent box 76 between the panels 36 notwithstanding slight variations in the spacing between the panel 36, driven fasteners 42 fixing the box 76 after it has been finally positioned. Inasmuch as the screen panel 78 is fixed within the box 76, in order to prevent any of the poured concrete from coming in contact therewith, a removable shield or guard 84 is positioned over the face of the screen panel 78 closest to one end of the box 76, of course such a guard 84 can be applied against both faces of the screen panel 78. This shield or guard 84 can be of easily torn paper or thin cardboard, or of a heavier material with the fit within the box 76 being such so as to allow it to be withdrawn from the end of the box 76 as suggested in phantom line in FIGURE 10.

FIGURES 12 and 13 illustrate a further modification which, like the modification of FIGURE 10, has the screen panel 86 permanently secured to a straight vent box 88. In this instance, the vent box 88 is provided at both ends with peripheral flanges 98 and 92, these flanges extending laterally outward from each end of the box 88. The flange 92 is provided, at its outer end, with a reversely bent lip 94 extending parallel to the flange 92 and spaced therefrom a distance suflicient so as to accommodate both the screen panel 86 which is fixed to the outer face of the flange 92 and a removable guard shield 96. As will be noted from FIGURE 13, an elongated slot 98 is provided at one side by in effect eliminating the bight portion between the flange 92 and its corresponding lip portion 94, this slot 98 being specifically provided so as to allow for the introduction and removal of the panel 96, it being contemplated that this panel 96 be of relatively rigid material and usable in the finished structure as a means for optionally closing the vent as might be desired. This use in the finished structure of course being secondary to its primary purpose of excluding concrete from the screen during the pouring of the wall 28. The right angular flange and the lip 94 present smooth faces for sliding engagement with the adjoining wall form panels 36 during the positioning of the box 88, driven fasteners 42 retaining the box 88 in its final position. Incidentally, inasmuch as it is contemplated that the shield 96 be used for selectively closing the vent in the finished structure, a slight depression is provided in the surface of the wall 28 adjacent the slot 98 whereby, by a slight deflecting of the panel 96, it can be introduced and removed from the groove formed by the flange portions 92 and the lip portions 94 spaced therefrom.

The construction and use of the vent forming elements of the instant invention are considered to be apparent from the above description, these elements constituting a significant advance in the art by the simplification of a heretofore bothersome problem in a manner which insures, in the finished wall, a uniform and attractive vent opening.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in the formation of a through-wall vent in a pollrfld concrete wall formed between spaced wall form panels, a hollow vent box and means on each end of the vent box adapted to engage against the opposed inner faces of the wall form panels, said means on one end comprising a resiliently flexible peripherally disposed flange capable of flexibly accommodating variations in the spacing between the wall form panels, said flange being 'outwardly directed relative to the adjoining wall portions of the vent box and forwardly directed relative to said one end, the means on the other end comprising a reversely bent end portion presenting a smooth forwardly directed panel abutting surface, said reversely bent end portion being directed inwardly in diverging relation to the adjoining wall portions of the vent box.

2. The device of claim 1 in combination with a vent screen, said vent screen including a screen panel and a peripheral frame therefor, said peripheral frame being received within the other end of said vent box and being frictionally engaged by the reversely bent end portion, the part of the frame engaged by the reversely bent end portion consisting of slightly divergent resiliently flexible individual peripherally arranged portions, said frame including a peripheral flange on the outer end thereof in abutment with the adjoining abutting surface on the end receiving the peripheral frame.

3. For use in the formation of a through-wall vent in a poured concrete wall formed between spaced wall form panels, a hollow vent box and means on each end of the vent box adapted to engage against the opposed inner faces of the wall form panels, said means on one end comprising a resiliently flexible peripherally disposed flange capable of flexibly accommodating variations in the spacing between the wall form panels, said flange being outwardly directed relative to the adjoining wall portions of said vent box and forwardly directed relative to said one end, the outer end portion of said flange being outwardly directed relative to the adjoining wall portions of the vent box and rearwadly directed relative to said one end so as to form a smooth forwardly directed panel-abutting surface.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the outer end portion of the flange is outwardly directed relative to the adjoining wall portion of the vent box and rearwardly directed relative to said one end so as to form a smooth forwardly directed panel abutting surface.

5. The device of claim 4 including nailing tabs fixed to said vent box adjacent said other end and bendable from a first position parallel to the vent box to a second position laterally directed relative thereto.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said vent box is tapered from one end to the other in a manner so as to allow a telescopic stacking of a plurality of such vent boxes.

7. The device of claim 6 including a laterally directed stop fixed to the vent box for limiting its telescopic reception within a second vent box.

8. The device of claim 7 in combination with a vent screen, said vent screen including a screen panel and a peripheral frame therefor, said peripheral frame being received within one end of said vent box and frictionally engaged thereby, said frame including a peripheral flange on the outer end thereof in abutment with the adjoining abutting surface on the one end receiving the peripheral frame.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the peripheral frame includes slightly divergent residiently flexible portions engaging the vent box.

10. For use in the formation of a through-wall vent is a poured concrete wall formed between spaced wall form panels, a hollow vent box and means on each end of the vent box adapted to engage against the opposed inner faces of the wall-form panels, said means on one end comprising a resiliently flexible peripherally'disposed flange capable of flexibly accommodating variations in the spacing between the wall form panels, said flange being outwardly directed relative to the adjoining wall portions of the vent box and forwardly directed relative to said one end, the means on the other end comprising a reversely bent end portion presenting a smooth forwardly directed panel abutting surface, said vent box being tapered from said one end to said other end and having a smooth outer surface.

11. For use in the formation of a through-wall vent in a poured concrete wall formed between spaced wall form panels, a hollow vent box and means on each end of the vent box adapted to engage against the opposed inner faces of the wall form panels, said means consisting of laterally directed peripheral flanges extending outwardly at substantially right angles to the vent box walls, a screen panel fixed to the flange at one end of the vent box and closing this one end, a pair of grooves formed by said flange at one end of the vent box along opposed edges forward of the screen panel, and a removable cover panel for said screen panel slidably received in said grooves.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,848,237 3/1932 Baum 122 2356 735 8/ 1944 Bastian 98-37 3,115,082 12/ 1963 Sanoff 98-37 FOREIGN PATENTS 203,695 5/ 1959 Austria. 1,167,245 7/31958 France.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner. 

1. FOR USE IN THE FORMATION OF A THROUGH-WALL VENT IN A POURED CONCRETE WALL FORMED BETWEEN SPACED WALL FORM PANELS, A HOLLOW VENT BOX AND MEANS ON EACH END OF THE VENT BOX ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AGAISNT THE OPPOSED INNER FACES OF THE WALL FORM PANELS, SAID MEANS ON ONE END COMPRISING A RESILIENTLY FLEXIBLE PERIPHERALLY DISPOSED FLANGE CAPABLE OF FLEXIBLY ACCOMMODATING VARIATIONS IN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE WALL FORM PANELS, SAID FLANGE BEING OUTWADLY DIRECTED RELATIVE TO THE ADJOINING WALL PORTIONS OF THE VENT BOX AND FORWARDLY DIRECTED RELATIVE TO SAID ONE END, THE MEANS ON THE OTHER END COMPRISING A REVERSELY BENT END PORTION PRESENTING A SMOOTH FORWARDLY DIRECTED 